Leon Howard Bovenmyer

Leon Howard Bovenmyer was born December 25, 1926, in Howard Township, in Tama County, Iowa. the son of Howard Ulysses and Leona Mathern Bovenmyer. He attended school at Buck Creek and rural Buchanan County schools, graduating from Winthrop High School with the class of 1945.
Leon was united in marriage to Ruth Stimson on April 2, 1950, at the Troy Mills Methodist Church in Troy Mills, Iowa. To this union were born five children: Virginia, David, Steven, Dean, and Carol. They lived on farms in the Walker, Winthrop, and Monti areas having lived on their present farm since 1968.
He was a former member of the Kiene United Church of Christ, North Linn Methodist Church, and was currently a member of the Silver Creek United Methodist Church of rural Masonville. He was a member of the Farm Bureau, Full Gospel Businessmen, and Youth for Christ.
Leon was an avid Model Railroader; and liked to travel, square dance, and boat on the Mississippi River and Apple Canyon Lake. He always enjoyed being with his family. His livelihood was farming, but his passion was trains.
Leon entered into his eternal rest on Monday, November 5, 2007, at his farm home surrounded by his wife and family following a six month illness with pancreatic cancer. He was 80 years of age.
He was preceded in death by his parents: Howard and Florence; and two sisters: Mary Bovenmyer and Barbara Bovenmyer.
Survivors include his wife Ruth of rural Masonville; his five children: Virginia (Chris) Biang of West Chicago, IL; David (Dawn) Bovenmyer of Ames; Steven (Julie) Bovenmyer of Ames; Dean Bovenmyer of Masonville; and Carol (Eric) Gilson of Mishicot, WI; seventeen grandchildren: Mike Biang, Timothy Biang, Thomas Biang, Christine Biang, Robert Biang, Joe Bovenmyer, Beth Bovenmyer, Dan Bovenmyer, Jonathan Bovenmyer, Peter Bovenmyer, Mark Bovenmyer, Rachel Bovenmyer, Andrew Bovenmyer, Matthew Bovenmyer, Nicole Gilson Laug, Michele Gilson, and Travis Gilson; four great grandchildren: Jakob Bovenmyer, Evangeline Bovenmyer, Harrison Laug, and Joy Virginia Biang; his sister Betty Nellist of Center Point; and his brother Jack Bovenmyer of Palatine, IL. and other relatives and friends.
Funeral services will be at 11:00 A.M. Thursday November 8, 2007 at the Silver Creek United Methodist Church south of Masonville, Iowa with Pastors Leo and Sheri Andersen officiating. Music provided by the Jewels. Honorary bearers will be Ray Cook, Kenny Palmer, Don Haisch, and C.J. Robinson. Casketbearers will be grandsons: Joe Bovenmyer, Dan Bovenmyer, Travis Gilson, Mike Biang, Mark Bovenmyer, and Tim Biang. Interment will be in the Silver Creek Cemetery.
Memorials will be given to the Silver Creek United Methodist Church, Youth For Christ and Hospice of Comfort of Manchester.